Automatic pool cover box assembly

ABSTRACT

An automatic pool cover box assembly includes a plurality of vertical walls and a lid. Each vertical wall has a top surface, including a rear wall and a front wall, the top surface of the rear wall defining a horizontal plane. The top surface of the front wall is disposed below and substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. The lid has a rear edge and an opposite front edge, the lid being substantially coplanar with the horizontal plane, the rear edge being connected to the rear wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/703,911, entitled “AUTOMATIC POOL COVER BOX”, filed Nov. 1, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to swimming pools, and, more particularly, to an automatic pool cover box used to house a pool cover.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Swimming pools are commonly covered to prevent debris from entering the pool, to preserve chemical treatments in the water and to heat the pool in the case of a solar cover. An automatic pool cover provides convenience for a user by allowing the cover to be easily extended over the pool during periods of non-use, and retracted during periods of use. Typically, a box is placed in the decking surrounding the pool at a location opposite from the walk-in steps (usually at the deep end of a pool). The box extends across the width of the pool, and houses an electric motor and reel on which the cover is wound.

[0006] A problem with conventional automatic pool cover boxes is that the lid which covers the box is typically installed at an angle, with the edge facing the pool being elevated to allow the pool cover sufficient room to travel in and out of the box. Angled lids detract from the aesthetics of the generally flat area around a pool, and may add to the likelihood of minor injury such as a stubbed toe.

[0007] What is needed in the art is an automatic pool cover box lid which is not installed at an angle to the area surrounding a pool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides an automatic pool cover box assembly having a front wall, rear wall and lid constructed from modular components which may be easily connected together on-site and adjusted relative to each other to provide an optimum installation. The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an automatic pool cover box assembly including a plurality of vertical walls and a lid. Each vertical wall has a top surface, including a rear wall and a front wall, the top surface of the rear wall defining a horizontal plane. The top surface of the front wall is disposed below and substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. The lid has a rear edge and an opposite front edge. The lid is substantially coplanar with the horizontal plane, the rear edge being connected to the rear wall.

[0009] An advantage of the present invention is that the lid is coplanar with the surrounding pool area, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing look.

[0010] A further advantage is that a lid which is coplanar with the surrounding pool area eliminates the inconvenience of stepping over a raised edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an automatic pool cover box of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a sectionalized perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1; and

[0014]FIG. 3 is an end, sectional view of the automatic pool cover box of FIG. 1.

[0015] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of a pool 10 with an automatic pool cover box assembly 12 of the present invention. Lid 14, which constitutes the upper portion of cover box assembly 12, is coplanar with deck 16.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, box 12 houses a reel 18 and cover 20. Reel 18 is coupled with a drive mechanism (not shown) which is used to rotatably drive reel 18 to move cover 20, as shown in FIG. 1. Cover 20 wraps around reel 18 a number of times corresponding to the length of pool 10. Cover 20 is coupled at the leading edge thereof with a leading edge bar 22.

[0018] According to an aspect of the present invention, box 12 is constructed in a modular manner from a plurality of substantially identical extrusions which define a front wall 32, rear wall 34, bottom 35 and lid 14. The top edge of front wall 32 is disposed sufficiently below the plane of deck 16 to allow cover 20 to be extended and retracted over pool 10. Coupling 42 is either integral with the top of rear wall 34 or attached to rear wall 34, such that a portion of lid 14 may rest thereon and that lid 14 is coplanar with deck 16.

[0019] Lid 14 may be a single extrusion or may include a plurality of substantially identical extrusions coupled together. The material for the extrusions may include plastic, aluminum or steel. A rear edge of lid 14 is formed to interconnect with coupling 42 in such a way as to not shift position, yet be easily removable for purposes of maintenance. An opposite, front edge of lid 14 may be formed in a finished manner or provided with protrusions to accommodate an attachment of lid edge support 46. When lid 14 is positioned as the top element of box assembly 12, lid 14 rests on coupling 42 and brackets 44 such that lid 14 is coplanar with surrounding deck 16. The front edge of lid 14 is disposed above the top edge of front wall 32 to provide a horizontal opening therebetween along the side of box assembly 12 nearest pool 10. Cover 20 passes through this horizontal opening as it is extended over and retracted from pool 10.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, box 12 is positioned adjacent a side wall 24 of pool 10. End cap coping 26 is positioned at the top of side wall 24, and includes liner bead slot 28 from which a vinyl liner 30 is suspended. Side wall 24 may be of any suitable construction, such as a thermoplastic, metal or concrete wall. Of course, liner 30 may not be necessary, dependent upon the particular construction of side wall 24.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, rear wall 34 may be formed from a rear wall lower extrusion 36 and a rear wall upper extrusion 38. Rear wall upper extrusion 38 is provisioned with projections 40 for connection with deck 16 and with a coupling 42 for connection with lid 14. Lid 14 may also include two extrusions which couple together, as shown in FIG. 3 and rest on coupling 42 and bracket 44.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the present invention a method is disclosed for assembling pool cover box 12, including the steps of providing pool 10 with deck 16, the surface of deck 16 defining a plane. Front wall 32 is installed proximate pool 10, front wall 32 having a top surface that is disposed below and substantially parallel to the plane defined by the surface of deck 16. Rear wall 34 is installed such that it is substantially parallel to front wall 32, and the top surface of rear wall 34 is substantially coplanar with the plane defined by the surface of deck 16. Lid 14 is connected to rear wall 34, such that lid 14 is substantially coplanar with deck 16. Reel 18 is installed into box 12 and cover 20 is assembled onto reel 18.

[0023] While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A swimming pool, comprising: a deck with a top surface; a cover configured to cover said pool; and a cover box for containing said cover, comprising: a plurality of vertical walls each with a top surface, including a rear wall and a front wall, said top surface of said rear wall being substantially coplanar with said deck and defining a first plane, said top surface of said front wall being disposed below and substantially parallel to said first plane; and a lid having a rear edge and an opposite front edge, said lid being substantially coplanar with said deck, said rear edge being connected to said rear wall.
 2. The swimming pool of claim 1, further comprising a reel with said cover wrapped therearound.
 3. The swimming pool of claim 1, wherein said front edge of said lid is disposed above said top surface of said front wall forming an opening therebetween, said opening configured for the passage of said cover therethrough.
 4. The swimming pool of claim 1, further comprising a coupling connected along said top surface of said rear wall, said coupling disposed to connect with said rear edge of said lid, such that said lid is substantially coplanar with said first plane.
 5. The swimming pool of claim 1, wherein said lid and each said vertical wall are each at least one elongated extrusion.
 6. The swimming pool of claim 5, wherein each said elongated extrusion is made from a material which includes at least one of aluminum, steel and plastic.
 7. An automatic pool cover box assembly, comprising: a plurality of vertical walls each with a top surface, including a rear wall and a front wall, said top surface of said rear wall defining a horizontal plane, said top surface of said front wall being disposed below and substantially parallel to said horizontal plane; and a lid having a rear edge and an opposite front edge, said lid being substantially coplanar with said horizontal plane, said rear edge being connected to said rear wall.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a cover; and a reel with said cover wrapped therearound, said reel being located within said pool cover box.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said front edge of said lid is disposed above said top surface of said front wall forming an opening therebetween, said opening configured for the passage of said cover therethrough.
 10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said lid and each said vertical wall are each at least one elongated extrusion.
 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein each said elongated extrusion is made from a material which includes at least one of aluminum, steel and plastic.
 12. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising a coupling connected along said top surface of said rear wall, said coupling coupled with said rear edge of said lid, such that said lid is substantially coplanar with said horizontal plane.
 13. A method of assembling a pool cover box, comprising the steps of: providing a pool with a deck, said deck having a surface defining a first plane; installing a front wall proximate said pool, said front wall having a top surface being disposed below and substantially parallel to said first plane; installing a rear wall substantially parallel to said front wall, said rear wall having a top surface being substantially coplanar with said first plane; and connecting a lid to said rear wall, said lid being substantially coplanar with said deck.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: installing a reel in said pool cover box; and assembling a pool cover on said reel. 